Thought for Today

Bill, me and the kids were driving home from Huntsville, Alabama yesterday after visiting with my brother and Diana for his 40th birthday. We took this two-lane highway that goes through Ardmore, Alabama/Tennessee. The ride was uneventful until we came in close to Ardmore. It had started to rain and traffic had come to a standstill. We knew there must have been a wreck, because traffic never slowns down here. After waiting in the long line of cars, we saw what looked to be two cars that had been in an accident up ahead. Three men wearing ties (church clothes) waived us through. As we passed one of the wrecked cars, the one on the passenger side, which was my side, I looked down at the car and the ground. I saw a man, next to the car, blood all over his face, with his arm in a weird position next to his head. I just knew he was dead - he did not move at all. The woman in the passenger side had her back turned. The ambulance/police had not even arrived yet. I kind of freaked and cried for a second. It was the first time I had ever seen anything like that up close. (Thank goodness the kids were asleep!) Anyway as we drove by and we into Ardmore, a fire truck and police flew by us.

Bill read on the internet today that a 19 year-old had died in the accident and 3 others were injured. I cannot get the image out of my head....I've thought about him and his family a lot today. I've also thought about how lives can be changed in a mere second...and how thankful I am for my life and my family.

New Family Pictures

Last weekend my friend Laurie took pictures of me and my family at Ellington Gardens in Nashville. These are just a few of my favorites. (Bryce is two months from being 5 and Sloan is 10 months old).

Belgium Pictures

The top picture is a windmill and house near Damme, Belgium. The second picture is on the canal in Brugge.

Belgium Fun

It has been about 2 months since I've posted here. We've been really busy. We had a a quick trip to NYC for Valentine's Day weekend back in February. A few days ago we got back from a wonderful trip to Belgium. Bill had a business trip there and I tagged along before it for some fun and relaxtion! Grandparents came to take care of the kids...they are so spoiled - I know they are missing the extra special attention they got while we were gone. Thanks to our great family for making our special trip possible!

This picture is of Bill and me in front of a windmill in Brugge, Belgium.

My Two Front Teeth, My Two Front Teeth

Bryce lost his first tooth about a week a go. We put it in the bag so the tooth fairy could easily find it under his pillow. The tooth fairy was feeling very generous and gave him $5 for his front tooth. Now Bryce says he has another loose front tooth (I think he wants more money).

Sloan @ 6 Months

Can you believe it? Sloan was six months old on Feb. 19. He cut his first tooth a few days ago and finally rolled over today! Yeh! He's growing like crazy now - he weighs over 20 lbs.

My thoughts on Pan's Labyrinth & Volver

Pan's Labyrinth was fantastic! I really liked it. It was pretty violent and the fairytale monsters were a bit freaky, but it was an interesting story. All in Spanish, but very easy to follow the story line. I definitely recommend it!

We also saw Volver a few days later. This movie was also in Spanish, but I found it not as easy to follow the story as "Pan's". Personally, I'm not sure Penelope Cruz's performance was Oscar-worthy, but then again, what do I know?! It was entertaining, but I did not leave the theatre remembering much about it...

Everyone I know (female) watches Grey's (I think)

My favorite show...If I'm not home or not able to watch it I record it.

Patrick Dempsey (I liked him back in the '80s). Remember "Can't Buy Me Love"?

Grease is the Word

I know this is cheesy, but I have really gotten in to the new reality show on NBC called "Grease! You're the One that I Want!" I watch it every Sunday. I was REALLY in to the movie when I was about 6 - 8 years old, so I guess it brings back some old memories. Also, some of the people auditioning are really funny. It's fun to watch, even if it is cheesy.

Pan's Labyrinth

Bill and I are going to see Pan's Labyrinth this Tuesday night. It's in Spanish, so subtitles will be interesting. After a while I don't even realize I'm reading. Anyway, this movie is getting rave reviews and will probably be nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards. I'll let you know what I think.

My Boys

There are no girls except for me in this family - even our cats are boys!

Sloan @ 4 months

Sloan is growing so fast! He was 4 months old December 19th. He now eating rice cereal twice a day in addition to formula. I'll start him on green and yellow vegetables in a couple of weeks.

He's a good baby. Really only cries if something is bothering him or he is hungry. He's already had 2 ear infections - poor thing. He may need to have ear tubes at some point.

Our Christmas Card

Buzz, Buzz

Sloan is a bee for Halloween!

Trilby's Visit

Trilby came for a visit this weekend. We all had a great time! By tonight (Sunday), Bryce was exhausted. I think he fell asleep while his Dad read to him at bedtime...

Halloween 2006

Can you believe it? A new post and a family picture! Bryce is 4 yrs. + 2 months and Sloan is now 10 weeks old. He's finally sleeping for longer stretches; unfortunately not the same hours we sleep at night. Oh well, I don't feel nearly as sleep-deprived these days.

Bryce and Sloan

Here is a picture of Bryce meeting his brother Sloan for the first time...

Interesting fact: Sloan was born on Bryce's 4th birthday! They are exactly 4 years apart. How often does that happen?

Fortunately, we had Bryce's birthday party the Saturday before and only because "My Gym" was booked on the 19th. Funny how it all worked out.

Bryce is very excited that he's now a big brother and asks lots of questions about Sloan.

Welcome Sloan Thompson Alford

Welcome Sloan!!

Born:

Saturday, August 19 at 9:58am
8 lbs. 1 oz.
20" long

Dragon Park Fun

Weeeeeee! Running down the hill at Dragon Park sure is fun!